Socket wrench



June 16 1925.

W. D. M KEON SOCKET wnsucn Filed Jan. 18. 1924 Patented June 16, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM D. MQKEON, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T ARTHUR R. PETTERSON, OF

Application filed January having a number of sockets of different.

" sizes adapting it for use on Various kinds of machines, but particularlyon automobiles. g I a The principal objects of the invention are to provide an arrangement in which the socket and handle are pivoted together on a transverse axis so that when the socket is in place the handle can be arranged to extend from the socket either at right angles to the socket or at any desired inclination on either side, thus fitting it for use in many places in which an ordinary socket wrench cannot be employed. The invention also involves the provision of a socket on each end of the handle each so arranged to serve conveniently as a hand grip when the other socket is being applied to a nut or bolt.

The invention involves other features of construction which will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompany-' ing drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan of a socket wrench constructed in accordance with this invention and showing the parts in one position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the parts in a position in which they are frequently used; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the pivot studs.

I have shown the wrench as comprising a handle 10 formed of wire or other convenient metal and provided on each end with an enlargement 11 which is perfo rated both transversely and longitudinally to provide cylindrical openings for receiving a stud 12. This stud passes through the enlargement in the handle and constitutes the pivot for the wrench head 13 from which the stud projects.

As shown, the wrench head is of tubular form having wrench sockets 14 and 15 at opposite ends and of different sizes so as to fit two different nuts or heads. As the stud 12 projects from the head 13 at about the center thereof and at right angles and WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

WRENCH.

18, 1924. Serial No. 687,106.

one passage through the enlargement 11 is also at right angles to the length of. the handle, the handle and head are pivoted to each other on a transverse axis. The result is that the handle need not extend at right angles from the head as indicated in dotted lines on the right in F 2, which is the normal way of operating a wrench, but it can extend at an angle thereto as shown in full lines and, in fact, at any angle. Another dotted line position is shown on the other side. This permits ot the use of the wrench in places which are almost inaccessible at the present time particularly on Ford cars.

I have described so far only one end of the wrench but the other end is constructed in exactly the same manner and the two wrench heads 13 and 23 may be of different sizes but in the position shown in Fig.

2 the wrench head 23 serves as a hand grip for operating the wrench as its stud 12 is inserted in the longitudinal perforation. The head therefore is transverse to the handle, thus forming a very convenient handle. It can be used in this position also as a Wrench head. Thus it constitutes a combination side and straight'wrench. Of course the heads are interchangeable and the wrench is reversible.

In order to prevent the accidental withdrawal of theheads from the handle and yet permit of their being detached for transportation, packing and storage, I provide a spring pressed ball 17 in a recess in the end of the stud 12 in such position as just to hold it in place on the handle by friction.

Itwill be understood of course that a wrench can be made in accordance with this invention with only one head and in fact, with only one socket in a head.

Although I have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described but what I do claim is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a wrench comprising a handle and a head, said head being of general cylindrical form and having sockets of different sizes in the opp0- (ill iv in which said stud can he rotatahl located tor the purpose described.

As an article ot manufacture, a wrench comprising a handle and a head, said head being of general (-"lindrical town and havin sockets of di erent in the opposite ends and being: pro vided with a stud ear the center thereo' pr jeeting therefrom substantially at right angles to the axi of the head and the handle having a perforation in which said stud is rotatably located "for the PUETPOSQ described, said stud having a spring pressed hall projecting from it within said perforation for preventing accidental displacement of the head from the handle.

3. A an article of manufacture, a wrench comprising a handle having two heads pivoted thereto at opposite ends on pivots at right angles to both the heads, whereby the handle can be turned at any desired angle from the head which in operation, and the other head can he turned at right angles to the handle and used as a hand grip.

As an article of llltlllll'i'iltjtlll'fi, a w ench comprising a handle having a trans 'erse and a longitudinal perforation at its ends. and two socket heads each having? a stud projecting therefrom at right angles and just fitting in said perforations so that one head can be pivoted to one of the handles on a transv rse axis to serve as a wrench head and the other can he pivoted to it on a longitudinal axis to serve as a hand grip.

As an article of manufacture. a wrench having: a handle, a pair of socket heads, one pivotally mounted on the side of the handle at one end and the other pivot-ill mounted in line with the handle at the other end, said heads being reversible in position on the handle and also being reversible end for end.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto allixed my signature.

WILLIAM D. MCKEON. 

